Pats’ Faulk faces pot charge

Wednesday

Feb 27, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 27, 2008 at 7:13 PM

Glen Farley

A night out at a concert will turn into a day in court for Kevin Faulk.

The veteran running back became the second member of the New England Patriots to be cited for possession of marijuana this offseason when he was issued a misdemeanor summons last Friday while en route to a suite in the Lafayette (La.) Cajundome to watch a performance by rapper Lil Wayne.

Capt. John Babin of the Lafayette Metro Narcotics Task Force told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Faulk, a Louisiana native, was found to be in possession of four marijuana cigarettes during a routine search by a sheriff’s deputy.

While Faulk wasn’t arrested or required to post bond, he does face a court date that has yet to have been set.

“He was cited for simple possession, which is a misdemeanor,” Babin told the AP. “It’s based on an amount possessed for personal use.”

Patriots vice president of media relations Stacey James said the team was aware of the report on Faulk, but added, “I don’t have any additional comment at this time.”

On Feb. 5, two days after the Patriots’ 17-14 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, Willie Andrews was found to be in possession of marijuana and driving an unregistered motor vehicle during a traffic stop in Lowell.

The second-year reserve defensive back and return man pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and faces a March 18 court date for a pretrial conference.

A 1999 second-round draft pick out of Louisiana State University (he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2006), Faulk has carved a niche for himself as a third-down back with the Patriots. His 323 career receptions rank sixth in Patriots annals and are the most by a running back in the history of the team.

In 2007, Faulk was named one of the Patriots’ captains, a role he seemed to embrace.

Faulk finished the past season with 47 receptions for 383 yards, including the game-winning touchdown for his only TD of the season in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 24-20 win at Indianapolis on Nov. 4. He also carried the ball 62 times for 265 yards, an average of 4.3 yards per try.